Video game processing apparatus and video game processing program

ABSTRACT

A video game processing apparatus for controlling progress of a video game is provided. An image display device is caused to display operating section images in an operating section image display area on a display screen in an arrangement pattern corresponding to arrangement positions of respective operating sections. The operating section images are operating section images respectively corresponding to the operating sections arranged in the operational input section. Identification display allowing a player to identify the operational function associated with the corresponding operating section is made for each of the group of operating section images. When to receive an operational input in response to an operation of any of the plurality of operating sections by the player, the video game processing apparatus carries out operation correspondence processing that indicates processing to exert an operational function associated with the operating section operated by the player.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application relates to subject matter contained in JapanesePatent Application No. 2013-024448, filed on Feb. 12, 2013, thedisclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a video game processing apparatus and avideo game processing program for controlling progress of a video gamein response to an operation of a player.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heretofore, various types of video games have been proposed. In theproposed video games, it is common to control progress of a video gamein response to an operation of a controller by a player (see JapanesePatent Application Publication No. 2007-167326 and Japanese PatentApplication Publication No. 2007-222549, for example).

However, in the conventional video games, the player has been requiredto memorize a function of each of a plurality of buttons arranged on acontroller. For this reason, there has been a problem that it isdifficult for a beginner, in particular, to accurately operate theplurality of buttons and it is thus difficult for the beginner to playthe video game smoothly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problemdescribed above, and it is an object of the present invention to allow aplayer to carry out an operation of the player in a video game readilyand smoothly.

In order to achieve the above object, in one aspect of the presentinvention, the present invention is directed to a video game processingapparatus for controlling progress of a video game in response to anoperation of a player. The video game processing apparatus according tothe present invention includes an operational function correspondenceinformation memory for storing operational function correspondenceinformation, a plurality of operating sections arranged in anoperational input section being respectively associated with operationalfunctions in the operational function correspondence information, eachof the operational functions indicating a function of the correspondingoperating section. The video game processing apparatus also includes anoperating section image display controller for causing an image displaydevice to display a group of operating section images in an operatingsection image display area on a display screen of the image displaydevice in an arrangement pattern corresponding to arrangement positionsof the respective operating sections, the group of operating sectionimages being a plurality of operating section images respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of operating sections arranged in theoperational input section, identification display being made for each ofthe group of operating section images, the identification displayallowing the player to identify the operational function associated withthe corresponding operating section.

The video game processing apparatus also includes an operational inputreceiver for receiving an operational input in response to an operationof any of the plurality of operating sections by the player.

The video game processing apparatus also includes an operationcorrespondence processor for carrying out operation correspondenceprocessing in accordance with the operational input received by theoperational input receiver, the operation correspondence processingindicating processing to exert an operational function associated withthe operating section operated by the player.

By configuring the video game processing apparatus as described above,it is possible to allow the player to carry out an operation of theplayer in the video game readily and smoothly.

In the video game processing apparatus according to the presentinvention, it is preferable that the operational function correspondenceinformation is information in which plural kinds of operationalfunctions are associated with each of the plurality of operatingsections. In this case, it is preferable that the video game processingapparatus further includes: an operational function switching requestreceiver for receiving a request to switch operational functions fromthe player; and an operational function switcher for switching setups ofthe operational function corresponding to each of the plurality ofoperating sections in response to the request to switch operationalfunctions, wherein the operating section image display controllerswitches, in a case where the setups of the operational function areswitched, the effective group of operating section images to bedisplayed in the operating section image display area into a group ofoperating section images for which identification display is made so asto allow the player to identify an operational function after switching.

In the video game processing apparatus according to the presentinvention, it is preferable that the operation correspondence processorcarries out the operation correspondence processing in response to theoperational input received by the operational input receiver, theoperation correspondence processing indicating processing to exert anyone operational function of plural kinds of operational functionsassociated with the operating section operated by the player.

In the video game processing apparatus according to the presentinvention, it is preferable that the operational function correspondenceinformation is information in which a first operational function and asecond operational function are associated with each of the plurality ofoperating sections; the operating section image display controllercauses the image display device to display a first group of operatingsection images and a second group of operating section images in theoperating section image display area together with effective groupidentification display, identification display that allows the player toidentify the first operational function being made for the first groupof operating section images, identification display that allows theplayer to identify the second operational function being made for thesecond group of operating section images, the effective groupidentification display allowing the player to identify which of thefirst and second groups of operating section images is effective; andthe operating section image display controller switches display modes ofthe effective group identification display so that the player is allowedto identify the group of operating section images effective afterswitching in a case where the operational function switcher switches thesetups of the operational function.

Moreover, in another aspect of the present invention, the presentinvention is directed to a non-transitory computer-readable mediumincluding a video game processing program product for causing a computerto control progress of a video game in response to an operation of aplayer. In this case, the computer includes an operational functioncorrespondence information memory for storing operational functioncorrespondence information, a plurality of operating sections arrangedin an operational input section being respectively associated withoperational functions in the operational function correspondenceinformation, each of the operational functions indicating a function ofthe corresponding operating section. The video game processing programproduct according to the present invention causes the computer toexecute steps including causing an image display device to display agroup of operating section images in an operating section image displayarea on a display screen of the image display device in an arrangementpattern corresponding to arrangement positions of the respectiveoperating sections, the group of operating section images being aplurality of operating section images respectively corresponding to theplurality of operating sections arranged in the operational inputsection, identification display being made for each of the group ofoperating section images, the identification display allowing the playerto identify the operational function associated with the correspondingoperating section.

The steps also include receiving an operational input in response to anoperation of any of the plurality of operating sections by the player.

The steps also include carrying out operation correspondence processingin accordance with the operational input received in the receiving anoperational input, the operation correspondence processing indicatingprocessing to exert an operational function associated with theoperating section operated by the player.

According to the present invention, it is possible to allow the playerto carry out an operation of the player in the video game readily andsmoothly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment of the present invention thatproceeds with reference to the appending drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a videogame processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage stateof operational function correspondence information;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage stateof operational function setup information;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation relatedprocessing;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a game screen;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory drawing showing another example of the gamescreen;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawing showing still another example of thegame screen;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing showing still another example of thegame screen; and

FIG. 9 is an explanatory drawing showing still another example of thegame screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an example of one embodiment according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to the appending drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a configuration of a videogame apparatus 100 to which an embodiment of the present invention isapplied. As shown in FIG. 1, a video game apparatus 100 of the presentembodiment includes a video game apparatus main body 10, an imagedisplay device 50, and a sound output device 60. The video gameapparatus main body 10 is constituted from a video game system that isput on the market, for example. Further, the image display device 50 isconstituted from, for example, a television apparatus, a liquid crystaldisplay device, a micro-mirror device, a holographic display device, orany combination thereof. The image display device 50 is provided with animage display screen 51.

The video game apparatus main body 10 includes a control section 11, aRAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a HDD (hard disk drive) 13, a soundprocessor 14, a graphics processor 15, a DVD/CD-ROM drive 16, acommunications interface 17, an interface section 18, a frame memory 19,a memory card slot 20, and an input interface section 21.

Each of the control section 11, the RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, theHDD (Hard Disk Drive) 13, the sound processor 14, the graphics processor15, the DVD/CD-ROM drive 16, the communications interface 17 and theinterface section 18 is connected to an internal bus 22.

The control section 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM(Read Only Memory) and the like. The control section 11 executes controlprocesses of the whole video game apparatus 100 in accordance withcontrol programs (including a video game processing program) stored inthe HDD 13 and/or a storage medium 70. The control section 11 includesan internal timer used to generate a timer interruption. The RAM 12 isused as a work area for the control section 11. The HDD 13 is a storagearea for storing the control programs and various data.

The sound processor 14 is connected to a sound output device 60, whichis configured by a speaker, for example. The sound processor 14 outputsa sound signal to the sound output device 60 in accordance with a soundoutputting command from the control section 11 that executes a processaccording to the control programs. In this regard, the sound outputdevice 60 maybe embedded in the image display device 50 or the videogame apparatus main body 10.

The graphics processor 15 is connected to the image display device 50including the image display screen 51 on which an image is displayed.The graphics processor 15 develops an image on the frame memory 19 inaccordance with a drawing or graphics command from the control section11, and outputs video signals for displaying the image on the imagedisplay screen 51 to the image display device 50. A switching time forimages to be displayed according to the video signals is set to 1/30seconds per frame (for NTSC type displays), for example.

A storage medium 70 such as a DVD-ROM medium or a CD-ROM medium, orequivalent, in which control programs for a video game are stored, ismounted in the DVD/CD-ROM drive 16. The DVD/CD-ROM drive 16 executes aprocess for reading out various data such as the control programs fromthe storage medium 70.

The communications interface 17 is connected to a communication network80 such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network(WAN), or the like, in a wireless or wired manner. The video gameapparatus main body carries out communication with, for example, anothercomputer via the communication network 80 using a communication functionof the communications interface 17.

Each of the input interface section 21 and the memory card slot 20 isconnected to the interface section 18. The interface section 18 causesinstruction data from the input interface section 21 to be stored in theRAM 12 on the basis of operation (s) of a keypad 30 by a player of thevideo game apparatus 100. In response to the instruction data stored inthe RAM 12, the control section 11 then executes various arithmeticprocessing.

The video game apparatus main body 10 is connected to the keypad 30 asan operational input section (controller) via the input interfacesection 21.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cross key 31, a group of buttons 32, a leftjoystick 38 and a right joystick 39 are arranged on the upper surface ofthe keypad 30. The cross key 31 includes an upper key 31 a, a lower key31 b, a right key 31 c and a left key 31 d. The group of buttons 32includes a circle button 32 a, an X button 32 b, a triangle button 32 cand a square button 32 d. Further, a select button 35 is arranged at aconnecting portion between a base on which the cross key 31 is arrangedand a base on which the group of buttons 32 is arranged. In this regard,a plurality of buttons such as an R1 button 36 and an L1 button 33 arearranged at the side surface of the keypad 30.

The keypad 30 is provided with multiple switches respectively connectedto the cross key 31, the circle button 32 a, the X button 32 b, thetriangle button 32 c, the square button 32 d, the select button 35, thestart button 37, the R1 button 36 and the L1 button 33. When a pressingforce is applied to any button (that is, when any button is operated),the corresponding switch is turned on. A detected signal in accordancewith on/off of the switch is generated in the keypad 30, and detectedsignals are generated, respectively, corresponding to inclineddirections of the left joystick 38 and the right joystick 39 in thekeypad 30.

The two types of detected signals generated in the keypad 30 aresupplied to the control section 11 via the input interface section 21(through wired or wireless connection), by which detected informationindicating that any button on the keypad 30 is pressed and detectedinformation indicating the state of each of the left joystick 38 and theright joystick 39 are generated. In this way, operation instruction(s)by a player using the keypad 30, for example, is supplied to the videogame apparatus main body 10 (that is, the control section 11).

Further, the interface section 18 carries out, in accordance with thecommand(s) from the control section 11, a process to store dataindicative of a progress status of the video game stored in the RAM 12into the memory card 90 installed in the memory card slot 20. Theinterface section 18 also carries out a process to read out data on thevideo game stored in the memory card 90 at the time of suspending thevideo game and a process to transfer such data to the RAM 12, and thelike.

Various data, such as the control programs for carrying out the videogame in the video game apparatus 100, are stored in the storage medium70, for example. The various data, such as the control programs storedin the storage medium 70, are read out by the DVD/CD-ROM drive 16 inwhich the storage medium 70 is installed. The data thus read out areloaded onto the RAM 12. The control section 11 executes, in accordancewith the control program loaded on the RAM 12, various processes such asa process to output the drawing or graphics command to the graphicsprocessor 15 and a process to output the sound outputting command to thesound processor 14. In this regard, the interim data intermediatelygenerated in response to the progress status of the video game (forexample, data indicative of scoring of the video game, the state of aplayer character and the like) are stored in the RAM 12 used as a workmemory while the control section 11 executes the processing.

In the present embodiment, operational function correspondenceinformation and operational function setup information are contained inthe data recorded in the storage medium 70 and loaded onto the RAM 12.FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage stateof the operational function correspondence information. FIG. 3 is anexplanatory drawing showing an example of a storage state of theoperational function setup information.

The operational function correspondence information is information inwhich a button name of each button of the cross key 31 and the group ofbuttons 32 arranged on the keypad 30 is associated with an operationalfunction of the corresponding button, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, there are two kinds offunctions according to setup as the operational function of each button.The two kinds of functions includes a function exerted at left settingand a function exerted at right setting. Plural kinds of operationalfunction correspondence information are prepared in the presentembodiment, and are switched and used in accordance with scenes in thevideo game. Further, an image (that is, an operating section image;which will be described later) according to each operational function isdefined in the present embodiment. In the operational functioncorrespondence information, image information indicating an operatingsection image is stored so as to correspond to each operationalfunction.

The operational function setup information contains: a name of theoperational function correspondence information: a usage flag indicatingwhether the corresponding operational function correspondenceinformation is effective or not; and a setup flag indicating whichoperational function is set up, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. Theoperational function correspondence information whose usage flag isturned on (in the present embodiment, set up to “1”) is operationalfunction correspondence information that is effective (or used) in thevideo game. Further, the operational function indicated by the setupflag in the operational function correspondence information whose usageflag is turned on indicates currently effective. More specifically, whenthe setup flag is set to “0”, the operational function at left settingindicates effective. On the other hand, when the setup flag is set to“1”, the operational function at right setting indicates effective.

Next, an operation of the video game apparatus 100 according to thepresent embodiment will be described. In this regard, the content andprocessing with no relationship to the present invention may be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation related processingcarried out by the video game apparatus 100. In the operation relatedprocessing, various kinds of processes in response to operations of thekeypad 30 by a player X are carried out.

The operation related processing is started when the video game isstarted or a stage or scene in the video game is changed, for example.Here, the operation related processing is started in a case where thescene is changed into a battle scene in the present embodiment.

In the operation related processing, the video game apparatus 100 firstspecifies operational function correspondence information to be used inaccordance with a current progress status of the video game, a currentscene and the like; and causes the display device 50 to display a groupof operating section images (that is, an operating section image group)indicated by the specified operational function correspondenceinformation on the image display screen 51 (Step S101). The operationalfunction correspondence information used for each progress status oreach scene is defined in advance. At Step S101, the video game apparatus100 refers to the operational function setup information, and turns onthe usage flag of the specified operational function correspondenceinformation on. The video game apparatus 100 then refers to theoperational function correspondence information to be used, and causesthe image display device 50 to display the operating section imagegroup. Here, the video game apparatus 100 specifies an operating sectionimage group whose operational function is set to effective by the setupflag of the operational function setup information (in this regard, aninitial setup is zero), and distinguishably display the specifiedoperating section image group as the effective operating section imagegroup.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a game screen onwhich an operating section image group is displayed. In the presentembodiment, an enemy character NPC; a first operating section imagegroup GG1; a second operating section image group GG2; an effectivegroup identifying frame 200 for identifying which operating sectionimage group is effective; are displayed on the game screen, for example,as shown in FIG. 5. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first operatingsection image group GG1 and the second operating section image group GG2are displayed in an operating section image display area provided at alower area of the game screen, and the first operating section imagegroup GG1 enclosed by the effective group identifying frame 200 becomesan effective state.

The “operating section image” is an image corresponding to each of theplurality of operating sections (in the present embodiment, the upperkey 31 a, the lower key 31 b, the right key 31 c, the left key 31 d, thecircle button 32 a, the X button 32 b, the triangle button 32 c and thesquare button 32 d) arranged on the keypad 30, and means an image inwhich identification display allowing the player X to identify anoperational function associated with the corresponding operating sectionis made. A figure (or a mark) by which the player X is allowed toidentify the corresponding operational function is displayed in each ofthe operating section images. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the videogame apparatus 100 is configured so that the player X can directly orindirectly identify an operational function by means of its figure.However, it is not limited to the figure. The video game apparatus 100may be configured so that the player X can directly or indirectlyidentify the operational function by means of characters or symbols, forexample.

Further, the “group of operating section images (or the operatingsection image group)” means an image in which the respective operatingsection images are displayed in an arrangement pattern corresponding toarrangement positions of the corresponding operating sections (in thepresent embodiment, the upper key 31 a, the lower key 31 b, the rightkey 31 c, the left key 31 d, the circle button 32 a, the X button 32 b,the triangle button 32 c and the square button 32 d).

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first operating section image groupGG1 and the second operating section image group GG2 are displayed. Thefirst operating section image group GG1 is configured by: an operatingsection image G1 corresponding to the upper key 31 a; an operatingsection image G3 corresponding to the lower key 31 b; an operatingsection image G4 corresponding to the right key 31 c; an operatingsection image G2 corresponding to the left key 31 d; an operatingsection image G8 corresponding to the circle button 32 a; an operatingsection image G7 corresponding to the X button 32 b; an operatingsection image G5 corresponding to the triangle button 32 c; and anoperating section image G6 corresponding to the square button 32 d.Further, the second operating section image group GG2 is configured by:an operating section image G9 corresponding to the upper key 31 a; anoperating section image Gil corresponding to the lower key 31 b; anoperating section image G12 corresponding to the right key 31 c; anoperating section image G10 corresponding to the left key 31 d; anoperating section image G16 corresponding to the circle button 32 a; anoperating section image G15 corresponding to the X button 32 b; anoperating section image G13 corresponding to the triangle button 32 c;and an operating section image G14 corresponding to the square button 32d.

In the present embodiment, the video game apparatus 100 carries outprocessing to distinguishably display which operating section imagegroup of two types of operating section image groups including the firstoperating section image group GG1 and the second operating section imagegroup GG2 is effective at Step S101 as shown in FIG. 5.

Next, the video game apparatus 100 confirms whether it is timing toswitch the operational function correspondence information or not (StepS102). Ina case where it is confirmed that it is the timing to switch,the video game apparatus 100 carries out processing to switch theoperational function correspondence information to be used (that is,processing to switch a usage flag of the corresponding operationalfunction correspondence information) (Step S103), and carries outprocessing to switch to a display of the group of operating sectionimages (the operating section image group) indicated by the switchedoperational function correspondence information (Step S104). In thisregard, the timing to switch the operational function correspondenceinformation and operational function correspondence information newlyused due to the switching are defined in advance.

Next, the video game apparatus 100 confirms whether a setup switchingoperation for the operational function by the player X is received ornot (Step S105). The setup switching operation for the operationalfunction is carried out by an operation of the L1 button 33 and the R1button 36 arranged on the keypad 30 in the present embodiment. Morespecifically, an operation of the L1 button 33 causes the video game toswitch into the operational function indicated by the operating sectionimage group GG1 that is displayed at the left side of the game screen.On the other hand, an operation of the R1 button 36 causes the videogame to switch into the operational function indicated by the operatingsection image group GG2 that is displayed at the left side of the gamescreen.

In a case where it is confirmed that the setup switching operation forthe operational function is received, the video game apparatus 100switches setups of the operational function by switching the setup flagof the corresponding operational function correspondence information inthe operational function setup information (Step S106). In order toinform the player X that the operational function specified by the setupflag of the operational function correspondence information, the videogame apparatus 100 switches an effective operating section image groupby switching a display position of the effective group identifying frame200 (Step S107). More specifically, in a case where the R1 button 36 ispressed from the state shown in FIG. 5, for example, the video gameapparatus 100 causes the image display device 50 to display theeffective group identifying frame 200, which has been displayed at aposition so as to enclose the first operating section image group GG1 asshown in FIG. 5, at a position so as to enclose the second operatingsection image group GG2 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the video gameapparatus 100 informs the player X that the effective operating sectionimage group is switched from the first operating section image group GG1to the second operating section image group GG2.

Next, the video game apparatus 100 confirms whether an operation otherthan the setup switching operation for the operational function by theplayer X is received or not (Step S108). In the present embodiment, thevideo game apparatus 100 confirms whether an operation of the operatingsection other than the L1 button 33 and the R1 button 36 of theoperating section arranged on the keypad 30 is received or not.

In a case where an operation other than the setup switching operationfor the operational function is received and the operation is anoperation for the operating section whose corresponding operatingsection image is displayed, the video game apparatus 100 highlights thecorresponding operating section image (for example, reversing display,display in which color is changed, enlarged display, and the like) (StepS109), and carries out processing according to the operation set up inthe operational function correspondence information (operationcorrespondence processing) (Step S110). FIG. 7 is an explanatory drawingshowing an example of the game screen of the case where an operation ofthe circle button 32 a is received when the second operating sectionimage group GG2 is effective and the corresponding the operating sectionimage G16 is highlighted.

By configuring the video game apparatus 100 as described above, theplayer X is allowed to readily and accurately recognize the operationalfunction of each operating section by means of its operating sectionimage of the operating section image group, whereby the player X canoperate an appropriate operating section. Further, the player X canselect one operating section image group to be effective from the amonga plurality of operating section image groups each of whose operationalfunction associated with the corresponding operating section isdifferent from each other by switching operating section image groups tobe effective among the plurality of operating section image groups bymeans of the setup switching operation for the operational function. Forthat reason, the player X can readily and accurately carry out eachoperation to exert many operational functions more than the number ofoperating sections by means of the operating sections arranged on thekeypad 30.

In this regard, the video game apparatus 100 is configured so as tospecify an effective operating section image group by switching the twotypes of operating section image groups in the embodiment describedabove. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the video game 100 may be configuredso as to use one operating section image group. Further, as shown inFIG. 9, the video game 100 may be configured so as to specify aneffective operating section image by switching three types of operatingsection image groups using the similar processing. Moreover, the videogame 100 may be configured so as to specify an effective operatingsection image by switching four types or more of operating section imagegroups using the similar processing.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game apparatus 100is configured so as to: display the two types of operating section imagegroups; and allow the player to specify an effective operating sectionimage group by means of a display position of the effective groupidentifying frame 200. However, the video game apparatus 100 may beconfigured so as to display only the effective operating section imagegroup. In this case, the video game apparatus 100 may switch anoperating section image group to be displayed in response to the setupswitching operation of the operational function by the player.

As explained above, in the embodiment described above, the video gameapparatus (the video game apparatus 100 and the video game apparatusmain body 10) for controlling progress of a video game in response to anoperation of the player is configured so as to: include the RAM 12 forstoring operational function correspondence information (see FIG. 2), aplurality of operating sections (that is, the upper key 31 a, the lowerkey 31 b, the right key 31 c, the left key 31 d, the circle button 32 a,the X button 32 b, the triangle button 32 c and the square button 32 d)arranged in an operational input section (for example, the keypad 30)being respectively associated with operational functions in theoperational function correspondence information, each of the operationalfunctions indicating a function of the corresponding operating section;cause the image display device 50 to display a group of operatingsection images in an operating section image display area on the displayscreen 51 of the image display device 50 in an arrangement patterncorresponding to arrangement positions of the respective operatingsections, the group of operating section images being a plurality ofoperating section images respectively corresponding to the plurality ofoperating sections arranged in the operational input section,identification display being made for each of the group of operatingsection images, the identification display allowing the player toidentify the operational function associated with the correspondingoperating section; receive an operational input in response to anoperation of any of the plurality of operating sections by the player;and carry out operation correspondence processing in accordance with theoperational input received by the operational input receiver, theoperation correspondence processing indicating processing to exert anoperational function associated with the operating section operated bythe player. Therefore, it is possible to allow the player to carry outan operation of the player in the video game readily and smoothly.

Namely, in the embodiment described above, the group of operatingsection images for which identification display is made for allowing theplayer to identify the corresponding operational function are displayedin the arrangement pattern corresponding to arrangement positions of therespective operating sections. Therefore, the player, even a beginner ofthe video game, can carry out an operation of the operating sectionreadily and accurately while watching the group of operating sectionimages. For this reason, the player can carry out his or her operationin the video game readily and smoothly.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game apparatus(the video game apparatus 100 and the video game apparatus main body 10)is configured so that the operational function correspondenceinformation is information in which plural kinds of operationalfunctions are associated with each of the plurality of operatingsections; and so as to receive a request to switch operational functionsfrom the player; switch setups of the operational function correspondingto each of the plurality of operating sections in response to therequest to switch operational functions; and, in a case where the setupsof the operational function are switched, switch the effective group ofoperating section images to be displayed in the operating section imagedisplay area into a group of operating section images for whichidentification display is made so as to allow the player to identify anoperational function after switching. Therefore, the player is allowedto select one operating section image group to be effective from amongthe plurality of operating section image groups each of whoseoperational function associated with the corresponding operating sectionis different from each other. For that reason, the player X can readilyand accurately carry out each operation to exert many operationalfunctions more than the number of operating sections by means of theoperating sections arranged on the operational input section.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game apparatus(the video game apparatus 100 and the video game apparatus main body 10)is configured so as to carry out the operation correspondence processingin response to the received operational input, the operationcorrespondence processing indicating processing to exert any oneoperational function of plural kinds of operational functions associatedwith the operating section operated by the player. Therefore, it ispossible to readily and accurately carry out each operation to exertmany operational functions more than the number of operating sections bymeans of the operating sections arranged on the operational inputsection.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game apparatus(the video game apparatus 100 and the video game apparatus main body 10)is configured so that the operational function correspondenceinformation is information in which a first operational function and asecond operational function are associated with each of the plurality ofoperating sections. The video game processing apparatus is alsoconfigured so as to: causes the image display device to display a firstgroup of operating section images and a second group of operatingsection images in the operating section image display area together witheffective group identification display (for example, the effective groupidentifying frame 200), identification display that allows the player toidentify the first operational function being made for the first groupof operating section images, identification display that allows theplayer to identify the second operational function being made for thesecond group of operating section images, the effective groupidentification display allowing the player to identify which of thefirst and second groups of operating section images is effective; andswitch display modes of the effective group identification display (forexample, switch display positions of the effective group identifyingframe 200) so that the player is allowed to identify the group ofoperating section images effective after switching in a case where theoperational function switcher switches the setups of the operationalfunction. Therefore, the player can readily and accurately carry out theoperation to exert many types of operational functions while watchingthe two types of operating section image groups displayed in theoperating section image display area and switching the two types ofoperating section image groups.

In this regard, the video game apparatus 100 is configured so as to beprovided with the display device 50, the keypad 30 and the like at theoutside of the video game apparatus 100 in the embodiment describedabove. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can beapplied to a video game apparatus including a display device and acontroller at the inside thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful to allow a player to carry out anoperation of the player in a video game readily and smoothly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video game processing apparatus for controllingprogress of a video game in response to an operation of a player, thevideo game processing apparatus comprising: an operational functioncorrespondence information memory for storing operational functioncorrespondence information, a plurality of operating sections arrangedin an operational input section being respectively associated withoperational functions in the operational function correspondenceinformation, each of the operational functions indicating a function ofthe corresponding operating section; an operating section image displaycontroller for causing an image display device to display a group ofoperating section images in an operating section image display area on adisplay screen of the image display device in an arrangement patterncorresponding to arrangement positions of the respective operatingsections, the group of operating section images being a plurality ofoperating section images respectively corresponding to the plurality ofoperating sections arranged in the operational input section,identification display being made for each of the group of operatingsection images, the identification display allowing the player toidentify the operational function associated with the correspondingoperating section; an operational input receiver for receiving anoperational input in response to an operation of any of the plurality ofoperating sections by the player; and an operation correspondenceprocessor for carrying out operation correspondence processing inaccordance with the operational input received by the operational inputreceiver, the operation correspondence processing indicating processingto exert an operational function associated with the operating sectionoperated by the player.
 2. The video game processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the operational function correspondence informationis information in which plural kinds of operational functions areassociated with each of the plurality of operating sections, wherein thevideo game processing apparatus further comprises: an operationalfunction switching request receiver for receiving a request to switchoperational functions from the player; and an operational functionswitcher for switching setups of the operational function correspondingto each of the plurality of operating sections in response to therequest to switch operational functions, and wherein the operatingsection image display controller switches, in a case where the setups ofthe operational function are switched, the effective group of operatingsection images to be displayed in the operating section image displayarea into a group of operating section images for which identificationdisplay is made so as to allow the player to identify an operationalfunction after switching.
 3. The video game processing apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the operation correspondence processorcarries out the operation correspondence processing in response to theoperational input received by the operational input receiver, theoperation correspondence processing indicating processing to exert anyone operational function of plural kinds of operational functionsassociated with the operating section operated by the player.
 4. Thevideo game processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein theoperational function correspondence information is information in whicha first operational function and a second operational function areassociated with each of the plurality of operating sections, wherein theoperating section image display controller causes the image displaydevice to display a first group of operating section images and a secondgroup of operating section images in the operating section image displayarea together with effective group identification display,identification display that allows the player to identify the firstoperational function being made for the first group of operating sectionimages, identification display that allows the player to identify thesecond operational function being made for the second group of operatingsection images, the effective group identification display allowing theplayer to identify which of the first and second groups of operatingsection images is effective, and wherein the operating section imagedisplay controller switches display modes of the effective groupidentification display so that the player is allowed to identify thegroup of operating section images effective after switching in a casewhere the operational function switcher switches the setups of theoperational function.
 5. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumincluding a video game processing program product for causing a computerto control progress of a video game in response to an operation of aplayer, wherein the computer comprises an operational functioncorrespondence information memory for storing operational functioncorrespondence information, a plurality of operating sections arrangedin an operational input section being respectively associated withoperational functions in the operational function correspondenceinformation, each of the operational functions indicating a function ofthe corresponding operating section, wherein the video game processingprogram product causes the computer to execute: causing an image displaydevice to display a group of operating section images in an operatingsection image display area on a display screen of the image displaydevice in an arrangement pattern corresponding to arrangement positionsof the respective operating sections, the group of operating sectionimages being a plurality of operating section images respectivelycorresponding to the plurality of operating sections arranged in theoperational input section, identification display being made for each ofthe group of operating section images, the identification displayallowing the player to identify the operational function associated withthe corresponding operating section; receiving an operational input inresponse to an operation of any of the plurality of operating sectionsby the player; and carrying out operation correspondence processing inaccordance with the operational input received in the receiving anoperational input, the operation correspondence processing indicatingprocessing to exert an operational function associated with theoperating section operated by the player.